Bending machine



4 Shoets-Sheet 1 A. F. HENRICSQN BENDING IlAGl-IINE Find lav. A15. 1937O ct. 8,. 1940.

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BENDING MACHINE A. E. HENRICSON Filed Nav. 15, 1937 .1 Q m o ocr, s,1940. l

.www

oa. s, 1940.

A. E. HENRlcsoN 2,217,053

BENDING MACHINE Filld HCW. l5, 1937 4 Shoots-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

I QW ATTORNEY. s

Oct. 8, 1940 y Afa. HENRlcsoN ,2,217,053

BENDING MACHINE Film nov. 15, '1957 I 4 sneetsnan 4 INVENTOR.

BY Axe( Edwin Hemfz'cson M www# ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 8, 1940- PATENTOFFICE BENDIN G MACHINE Axel Edwin Henricson,

Walnut Lake, Mich., as-

signor to Motor `Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation ofNew York y Application November 15, 1937, Serial No. 174,716

4 Claims.

- This invention relates generally to metal working machines and refersmore particularly to improvements in machines for bending stock to apredetermined shape.

One of the principal objects of this invention resides in the provisionof a bending machine having means for bending stock to a predeterminedlongitudinal contour after the latter has been fashioned to the desiredcross sectional contour, without overstressing, or disturbing, the crosssectional contour of the stock. In accordance with this invention, astrip-of stock prefashioned to the desired cross sectional contour maybe longitudinally bent to form a complete garnish molding frame of thetype commonly employed in connection with window openings in vehiclebodies, although it. will, of course. be understood as this descriptionproceeds that the invention is not limited to the production of thisparticular product.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of apparatusof the type set forth capable of bending a strip of stock to its finalshape with such accuracy that it renders it unnecessary to size, orotherwise reform the product. This feature is advantageous in that itsimplifies the method of manufacture and appreciably increasesproduction.

Still another object of this invention consists in a bending machinewhich is not only compact and relatively simple to operate, but which iscapable of performing the required bending operations at a rateconsiderably faster than bending equipment employed in the past.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention contemplates a bendingmachine having forms capable of being readily interchanged so as topermit fashioning strips to various different longitudinal contours.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent asthis description proceeds, especially when consideredin connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a plan View of a bending machine constructed in accordancewith this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Figure 1with certain parts broken away in section for the sake of clearness;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicatedby the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of a polton of the machineshown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicatedby the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicatedby the line-66 of Figvure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken'substantially on the plane indicatedby the line l--l of Fig ure 3;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a garnish molding frame adapted tobefashioned by the machine forming the subject matter of this invention;and

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the planeindicated by the line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Although the embodiment of the bending machine selected herein for thepurpose of illustration is for the purpose of fashioning garnish moldingframes of the type commonly used in connection with the windows of motorvehicle bodies, nevertheless, it is to be understood that the machine isnot limited to' any particular shape or product and may be used toadvantage in practically any case Where it is desired to bend the stripstock to a predetermined longitudinal contour.

In general, a strip of metal Aprefashioned to the desired crosssectional contour is cut to the length required to form a garnishmolding frame A of the size and cross sectional area shown in Figures 8and 9. One end of the straight .strip of metal is then assembled withthe shoe B before the latter is installed in the machine. As shown inFigure 3 of the drawings, the cross sectional contour of the shoecorresponds to the cross sectional contour of the strip and thedimension of the shoe is such that the exterior surface thereof contactswith the internal surface of the strip throughout' the cross sectionalarea of the latter. In actual practice, one end of the strip is'telescoped on the shoe B and, after this is accomplished, the shoe, withits holder C, is assembled with the slide D. Referring again to Figure3, it will be noted that the slide D is operatively connected to an aircylinder E for movement by the latter toward a form F conforming inshape to the garnish molding frame A and supported opposite the shoe Bon a carriage G.

The form or templet frame F is movable relative to the shoe B throughouta continuous path of travel determined by the outline of the garnisnmolding frame A, and thefree end of the stock adjacent the shoe issecured to the templet for movement as a unit therewith. .The aircylinder E yieldably maintains the shoe B into clamping engagement withthe stock throughout movement of the templet frame, irrespective of theirregular shape of the latter. In Figure 1 of the drawings, the carriageG is shown as being inthe form of a frame corresponding in shape to thetemplet frame, and the latter is moved throughout ,the path of travelaforesaid by an s endless chain H'surrounding the perimeter of thevcarriage frame. The chain is secured at spaced points to the carriageframe and is adapted to mesh with a sprocket wheel I. The sprocket wheelI is driven at a reduced speed and the chain is held in intermeshlngrelation therewith by means of a roller J. The rollerJ is supported onthe machine frame directly opposite the sprocket wheel and engages in acontinuous channel K formed in the inner surface of the carriage frameG. Itfollows fromthe above that rotation of the sprocket I eifectsamovement of the templet frame F and the strip A throughout a continuous'path relative tothe shoe B to form the strip of stock to thelongitudinal contour of the garnish molding frame.

Upon reference to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that theouter edge of the templet frame is fashioned with a continuous recessLtherein, and that this recess has a cross sectional shape whichcorresponds accurately to the cross sectional contour of the'strip to befashioned.r

When the end aforesaid of the straight strip of stock is telescop'edwith the shoe B, care is taken to extend this endbeyond the shoesufficiently to permit clamping the stock to the templet frame `afterthe shoe is assembled with the slide D. For this purpose, the templetframe is provided with a clamp M having a portion secured to the templetframe and operable to eiectively secure the end aforesaid ofthe strip inthe recess L of the tem` plet frame. After this is accomplished, thetempiet frame is moved throughout its path of travel in a direction sothat the clamp M travels away from the sprocket I, and this movement iscontinued until the templet frame has completed one cycle of operation.Thus, it will be seen that the strip is moved relative to the shoe B asa unit with the templet frame F throughout the path of traveldeterminedby the chain Hand, as a consequence, is formed to thelongitudinal contour of the templet frame. Upon completion of one cycleof operation of the templet frame, the machine is stopped and the clampM is released. At the same time, the pressure exerted on the strip bythe air cylinder E is relieved and the strip, together with theshoe, areremoved from the machine. The shoe B is then merely slipped oil one endof the garnish molding frame and is assembled with another straightstrip of stock, whereupon the above operations are repeated.

Referring now more in detail to the particular construction of themachine, it will be noted that the same comprises a table I5 shown inFigure 2 as positioned in supporting relationship to the carriage frameG- and as secured in vertical spaced relationship to the base I6l of themachine by the bracket plates I'I. Mountedvupon the underside of thetable I5 for sliding movement toward and away from the shoe B is a slideI8 held in assembled relation with the table by means of the ways I9secured to the underside` of the table I5 at opposite sides of the slideI8.

Upon reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that v movement of theslide I8, and lthel portion carries the roller J, previously describedas enga'ging inthe continuous channel K in the car,

riage irameto maintain the chain H on the perimeter of the latter inintermeshing relationship with the sprocket wheel I. In this connection,it will be noted that a stud 22 extends vertically through the portion20 of the slide, and

the roller J is mounted upon the upper end of the stud in registrationwith the channel' K in the carriage G. The roller J is maintained intovfrictional engagement withthe carriage frame G by means of an adjustmentscrew 23 rotatablysupported at the outer end'of ythe table I5 and havingthe inner end portion 24 threaded in the A adjacent end of the slide.This adjustment not only renders it possible 'to vary the relationshipbetween the roller J and carriage lframe' G', but

lalso permits assembling and disassembling Ithev carriage G andassociated parts;` B y reaso'n of the above construction, it will alsobe noted that the roller J cooperates with the channel K and thecarriage frame G to not only maintainvthe ao l Supported on the base I6of the machine be-y l neath the table assembly is a prime mover 25 andasuitable speed reducer 26. As shown in Figure 2, the drive shaft 2`Iofthe prime mover'is con- I nected rto the driven shaft 28 of the speedre.

ducer by 'means of a coupling 29, and thepower .take-off shaft 30 of thespeedvreducer-'extends upwardly through an opening 3i in the, table I5.vThe power take-off shaft 30 is shown in Figure 3 as journalled in abearing 32 secured to theunderside of the table I5, and the uppervfendof the4 shaft is secured to the sprocket wheel I for driving the latter.A suitable seal 33 is located in the 1 opening A3| aboverthe bearing 32and is secured 'between the hub 3| of the sprocket 'andan an- 'I'hepurpose table I5 at opposite sides of the sprocket I. The

purpose of these strips is to limit swinging movement of the carriageand templet ,frames during the bending operation.` More particularly,the" strip'36 forms a stop for limiting swinging move-v ment when thetemplet employed ls adapted to form garnish molding frames for theleft-hand side of the vehicle body, andthe strip 31 functions y as astop when the machine is utilized tsforin garnish molding frames for theright-handside of the vehicle body. In detail, it will be notedvfroniFigure 1 that when the carriage frame is moved from the dotted line`position to the dot-dash line position. the free end of the frame is,prevented from'swinging beyond the path of travel` by l.enf gagementwith the stop 36 and the latter is of sumcient length to guide thecarriage frame chain H in intermeshing relationship with the sprocketwheel I, but to also hold the carriagev frame G on the table I5.

i from `the dot-dash line position of the same to the full lineposition, also illustrated in Figure `1.

When, however, the machine is employed to form a garnish molding framefor the right-hand side of the vehicle body, the carriage frame is movedthroughout its path of travelv in the opposite direction so that in thiscase the stop 31 functions vllto FiguresS to 6, inclusive.

` effectively. guide the same.

from the slide.

to perform the same results pointed out above in connection with thestop 36.

Referring now more in detail to the particular means provided herein foreffectively clamping the strip between the shoe B and templet frame Fduring the bending operation, attention is called In these figures,y theslide D is shown as slidably suppOrted in a bracket 40 secured to thetable l5 by means of the fastener elements 4| and having a channel 42formed in the underside lof the top wall thereof for receiving a portion43 extendingupwardly direction of sliding movement of the slide D andcooperates with the projection 43 on the latter to Upon particularreference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the outer wall 44 of thebracket 40 is formed with an opening 45 therethrough for receiving acoupling pin 46k havingone end secured to thepiston of the air cylinderE and having the opposite end secured to the slide. With thisconstruction, it will be noted that when air is admitted in the cylinderat the outer side of the piston and exhausted from the cylinder at theinner side of the piston, the slide D is moved inwardly to clamp thestock between the shoe B and the templet frame F.

V,The reverse operation of the air cylinder E, of

course, causes the slide Dto move outwardly and permits the garnishmolding frame and'shoe B to be removed.

The shoe B is secured in a holder C adapted to besupported on theportion 5l of the'bracket 40 and' having a V-shaped recess 52 on the,louter side thereof for receiving a correspondingly Y shaped projection54 extending inwardly from the slide. The bottom 56 of the recess isformed on a radius and the outer end of the projection` 54 is fashionedwith an arcuate head portion engageable'with the bottom 56 of the recessin the shoe holder to provide for limited swinging movement of the shoeB in the plane of the Vternplet frame F. This rocking movement of theshoe holder is desirable in order to' insure effectively clamping thestrip between the shoe and` templet frame during the intervals thetemplet frame is moved angularly to form the bends in the strip. In thisconnection, it will be noted that the shoe has a section 60 which ispivotally connected to the remaining' portion of the shoe through themedium of a link 6I, and this link. permits the section 60 to assume aposition in in Figure 3, the clamp M comprises a U-shaped member 63having the leg portions 64 thereof spaced from each other a sufficientdistance to receive a portion of the templet frame therebeytween andhaving a projection on the bas The channel 42 extends in the portion ofa strip `of stock t0 the form, fand portion ss which is adapted toengage the' strip to clamp the latter against the adjacent surface ofthe templet. .The clamping'action is effected by an eccentric 61rotatably supported between theleg portions 64 of the` U-shaped memberand adapted to engage theinner side of the templet frame to draw theprojection 65 .into engagement with the strip of stock. f The eccentric61 is ro.

tated by means of a suitable controlhandle 68 which extends above thetempletand is located 'for convenient manipulation bythe operator.`

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be observed that I haverprovidedarelatively simple, inexpensive bending machine capable ofl expedientlybending strip stock to. the 'desired longitudinal contour. It will alsobe noted that provision is made in the machinefor bending stoc'k'havinga predetermined cross sectional contour'and for J preserving this crosssectional contour duringthe' bending operation.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a machine for bending strip stock to a predetermined longitudinalcontour, a closed frame member having an outer surface corresponding inshape to saidl longitudinal contour, Aa flexible continuous drivingmember 'surrounding the outer. surface of the frame and secured-to thelatter, means engageable with the driving meinber and effective to movethe frame throughoutd a pathl of travel determined by the'shape ofthenexible continuous driving member, aI templet frame also `correspondingin'shape to the predetermined longitudinal contour ,and movable with,

the first mentioned frame, a shoe supported op'- posite the templet"frame for movement ytoward 35- and away from the latter and effectiveto clamp the strip stock between the templet framefand shoe, and meansfor clamping the strip stock` to the templet frame.

2. In a machine for bending strip stock having a prefashioned crosssectional contour to form a closed frame having a predeterminedlongitudinal contour, a templet frame correspondingzi'n n shape to saidpredetermined longitudinal contour and having a 'continuous recess inthe outer surface thereof provided with a cross sectionalcontourdetermined rto engage the outer surface of the strip of stocksubstantially throughout the cross sectional area ofthe latter, a shoehaving a y portion `engageable `with the inner surface of the stripofstock substantially throughout the cross sectional area of the latterand normally yiel'dably urged in a direction toward the templet frame,an endless chain confined to a shape corresponding to the predeterminedlongitudinal contour aforesaid and operatively connected to the templetframe, and a rotatable sprocket Wheel engageable with the chain.

' 3. In a machine 4for bending strip stock to a predeterminedylongitudinal contour, a carriage frame corresponding `in shape to thepredeter-k mined longitudinal contour andhaving a continuous channel inthe inner surface thereof, an

endless chain surrounding theouter surface fief" the carriage frame andsecured to the Ylgttei', a

rotatable sprocket connected to the 'frame lformoving the latterthroughout a path .of'travel determined by the 'shape of the chain,meansA supported opposite the sprocket and engageable` in the channel tomaintain the chain inginterv meshing relationship with the sprocket, "aform connected to the carriage kframe and vcorrespond-f ing in shape tothe predetermined longitudinal contour aforesaid, means for clampingone'endY means cooperating with the form upon movement thereofthroughout said path of travel to bend the strip of stock around theform.

4. In a machine for bending a strip of stock to form Ya closed framehaving a predetermined longitudinal contour, a supporting table, acarriage frame mounted on the supporting table and having inner andouter surfaces corresponding to the predetermined longitudinal contouraforesaid, a continuous chain extending along one of the surfacesaforesaid of the carriage frame and secured to the latter, a revolubiesprocket engaging the chain, a guide roller engageable Within acontinuous recess formed in the opposite surout a corresponding path oftravel, and means 1o cooperating with the surface aforesaid of thetemplet frame to bend a strip of stock around said surface. y

" A. EDWIN' HENRICSON.

